[Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva. Clinical, histologic and ultrastructural study]

Four cases of muco-epidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva are described, with an electron microscopy study in one case. Three patients were over 70 years and the fourth one 39 years old. In all cases, the tumor was primarily located close to the limbus and appeared as a quiescent corneoscleral ulcer or as a diffuse limbal thickening. Histologically, they showed an admixture of epidermoid and mucus secreting cells on alcian blue staining, and this was confirmed by electron microscopy. These tumors appear to be locally aggressive and rapidly recurring, and they invade the intra-ocular structures and/or orbit. One patient died 6 years after the onset of the disease. Prognosis is therefore poor and the lesion requires early treatment by wide local excision and a strict follow up for early detection of any recurrence.